Cookie Time!

Its cookie baking time my friends.  I am excited, this year is the first year that I have noticed Eliza being an actual help with holiday preparations.  She has always "helped" but this year, she helps.  It is a blast having her in the kitchen with me and talking about food, cooking, school..  I love it.

We hopped over to the dollar store the other day and gathered some decorating supplies and cookie tins.  We got to the checkout and the total came to $25.  I handed over my card, to get that much dreaded "it's been declined" from the apologetic cashier.  It was pretty miserable.  Come to find out, I had just brought the wrong card with me, but it was still embarrassing.  And I felt horrible because the kids had been so good through the store and I let them pick out hot cocoa mugs that they were really excited about.  As I was explaining to my sad kids that we had to leave the items at the store and run to the bank, a lovely lady behind us handed over the $25 and wouldn't take no for an answer.  I was completely overcome with gratidute and humility.  She just gave me a hug, said "Merry Christmas!" and told me my kids were sweet and that she was once a young mother too.  For me, to know that people still do that sort of thing probably made my holiday season.

So, I want to pay it forward.  I am going to specifically look for another shopper in a store that I can assist in person, because it made all the difference, but I would also like to send some care packages to people that could really use them.  If you know of someone that could use a pick me up of fabrics, patterns and goodies, would you please let me know?  Email me at portabellopixie@aol.com and let me know who this person is.  Or if it is you and the gifts could really help you this holiday season?  I want to give back.

Thank you guys!  I have picked all the recipients I can handle right now.  xoxo!!

Anyhow, back to those cookie tins that cost me nothing.  Eliza and I decorated them up with ribbon, pepperminty yoyos and some other holiday cheer.  Aren't they cute?  I love how they turned out.  We're going to line them with wax paper and fill them up with goodies for our friends. 

 

My anual cookie tradition has come to consist of homemade marshmallows (recipe in my next book!  Spring 2013), White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread cookies.  (Image Credit)

I've been making these cookies the longest and I have to say, they are probably my favorite cookie.  Not favorite cookie, just down right favorite cookie!  I prefer to drizzle the white chocolate on top of the cookie rather than dip half the cookie in.  Spreads the love a little better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm going to try these caramels this year too.  I have room in my boxes for two more goodies.  Do you have any favorites?  I think I need something chocolaty in there and then maybe pepperminty too.  Hmm.  Suggestions?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you want to check out some truly awesome cookie decorating, hop over to Sweet Sugar Belle to be in awe.  I would love to develop that skill set with sugar, but for now I am content to just look on in awe.

Pretty impressive.

 

Comments

[Lisa]

THis was such a wonderful post on so many levels! The first part about a stranger paying forward just made me cry!
Merry, merry Christmas!

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[Linda]

What a lovely gesture! This was a beautiful post.

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My hats off to everyone that's out there helping and for the rest who are making it possible for them to be there.

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